Cubs Call Up Albert Almora, Place Jorge Soler On DL

(CBS) The Cubs have summoned another one of their high-profile prospects to the big leagues.

After outfielder Jorge Soler suffered a left hamstring injury Monday night, the Cubs have called up outfielder Albert Almora from Triple-A Iowa. Soler has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the team termed a hamstring strain, though its severity wasn’t revealed. It’s possible he’ll be out for more than 15 days.

Rated as Chicago’s fifth-best prospect by MLB.com, the 22-year-old Almora is hitting .318 with three homers, 30 RBIs, 33 runs and a .779 OPS in 54 games at Triple-A. Almora is also an elite defender, according to scouts.

“He’s not going to come here to play every day,” Maddon said. “We’d tried to get him in like everybody else. We have other ways to fix it until Jorge gets back. One of the guys that needs to play a little more right now is Tommy La Stella. He can provide some instant offense against right-handed pitching.”

Almora isn’t in Chicago’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s contest at Philadelphia, with La Stella starting at third base and Kris Bryant in left field.

The first Cubs player selected under the Theo Epstein-Jed Hoyer regime, Almora was the team’s first-round pick in 2012.